| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
11/06/2007 - 11/07/2007 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 43767 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: SWEETHEART CUP (DBA SOLO CUP COMPANY)
Region: 1
City: NORTH ANDOVER State: MA
County:
License #: G-0285
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KATHLEEN MCALLISTER
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 11/02/2007
Notification Time: 14:34 [ET]
Event Date: 10/29/2007
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 11/02/2007 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
GLENN DENTEL (R1)
GREG MORELL (FSME)
| Event Text LOSS OF CONTROL OF AM-241 SOURCES IN STATIC ELIMINATOR BARS
The State provided the following information via facsimile:
"On October 29, 2007, the Agency received notification from a metal recycling facility that unexpected radioactive material had been detected in an incoming load of scrap. Agency representatives responded to the site and determined, by using a radioisotope identifier, the presence of Americium-241. The load was returned to its originator under DOT SP 10656, MA-MA-07-01, where an investigation into the type, quantity and form of Am-241 could be performed under controlled conditions. Telephone interviews with the scrap recycler indicated the scrap had originally come from two facilities, one that had already been contacted by him, and had acknowledged possession and use of process gauges at their facility. The Agency contacted the responsible individual and requested an inventory of their sources be performed to determine whether any were lost or missing.
"On October 30, the general licensee reported none of their sources were unaccounted for. Consequently, an agency responder met with the scrap recycler later that day, and on separating the device from other materials, identified the source was a static eliminator bar. The licensee representative was contacted again, and he and another individual responded to the site, where on visual inspection they promptly took responsibility for disposing of the bar from their facility.
"The Agency's investigation to date indicates the initial bar found was one of 12 that had been transferred to the North Andover facility from another of the company's facilities located in Somerville, MA. An additional five bars were discovered the following day in a pile of aluminum scrap at the recycler's yard, where they have been temporarily secured. Six bars were found installed in process equipment at the North Andover facility. The static eliminator bars are not registered with the Agency, and current facility management claims no knowledge that these bars, originally distributed to Sweetheart Cup between 1993 and 1995 by NRD, Grand Island, NY, are required to be registered and controlled under equivalent general license regulations to other devices currently registered with the Agency.
"Sweetheart Cup was purchased by the Solo Cup Company approximately four years ago, and further investigation is necessary before determinations may be made on where, and how, the breakdown in communication regarding these devices occurred, and on the scope of the problem in Massachusetts, or in other jurisdiction where Solo Cup has had, or maintains, manufacturing facilities. The static eliminator bars are NRD Model No. A-2003 and contain up to 20.25 mCi Am-241 each. The licensee has committed to hiring a qualified consultant to assist them with fully characterizing the scope of this event, establishing a plan of correction, and implementing corrective actions if needed." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 43772 | Facility: THREE MILE ISLAND
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] B&W-L-LP
NRC Notified By: JAMES PAULES
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 11/05/2007
Notification Time: 21:22 [ET]
Event Date: 11/05/2007
Event Time: 16:49 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/06/2007 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
MARIE MILLER (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling Shutdown | 0 | Refueling Shutdown | Event Text SPDS OUT OF SERVICE FOR PLANNED MAINTENANCE
"At 16:49 hours, on 11/05 the Unit 1 SPDS and ERDS systems were removed from service to support restoration activities from a planned maintenance outage on the power supply. The duration of work is expected to be approximately 10 hours. (Scheduled for completion at 03:00 on 11/06/2007). During this time, Control Room indications and alternate methods will be available.
"Since the SPDS computer system will be unavailable for greater than 8 hours, this is considered a Loss of Emergency Assessment Capability and reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"A follow-up notification will be made to the NRC after the SPDS and ERDS system are returned to service."
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE AT 0315 ON 11/6/07 FROM J. PAULES TO P. SNYDER * * *
At 0314 on 11/6/07 the SPDS and ERDS systems were returned to service.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R1DO (M. Miller). | |